What is GEO? Generative engine optimisation explained for businesses.
How to get your business cited by ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity and Google AI Overviews — in plain English.
- GEO is about being cited inside AI-generated answers, not just ranking as a link.
- AI tools trust clear facts that appear consistently across many sources.
- GEO builds on SEO — strong pages and reviews feed AI answers.
What is GEO?
Generative engine optimisation (GEO) is the practice of shaping your website and online presence so generative AI tools mention, cite and recommend your business when people ask questions.
GEO vs AEO vs SEO
SEO earns rankings in search results. AEO targets direct answers like featured snippets and voice results. GEO targets citations inside AI-written answers. Together they cover how people search in 2026.
How AI tools choose sources
They favour pages that answer questions directly, are well-structured, are cited by other trusted sites, and match facts found on your Google profile, directories and reviews.
GEO checklist
Answer-first pages, FAQ sections, comparison and cost content, Organization and Service schema, an llms.txt file, consistent listings, genuine reviews and mentions on industry sites.
Measuring GEO
Every month, ask the main AI assistants the questions your customers ask and record whether your business appears, how it is described and which pages are cited.
Frequently asked questions
01Is GEO only for big brands?
No — local businesses with clear, consistent information are often cited for local questions.
02Does GEO replace SEO?
No. It extends SEO; well-ranking pages are cited more often.
03How long does GEO take?
Structural fixes can show within weeks; reputation and mentions build over months.
